Loose forward Paul Grant comes into the side in place of the injured Eben Joubert, who dislocated his right shoulder in the gallant loss to Southland.
In something of a surprise, University A captain Brad Cameron, who did not make the 26-man Otago squad for the season, is called into the reserves and will make his Otago debut if he gets on the paddock.
Otago coach Phil Mooney said Cameron offered similar qualities to Joubert.
"In a sense we are swapping like with like. Brad has been with us in the train-on squad the whole year, and had a good club season. They have similar sort of games, bring a lot of energy and power to their game, and have a low centre of gravity," Mooney said.
Joubert will be missed for he has been all action in the blue and gold jersey this year, and his energy levels have undoubtedly been a huge help for the side.
Grant will play on the blindside flank, having played all the rest of his rugby for Otago at No 8.
Mooney said he was comfortable leaving Adam Thomson at No 8, and Grant would bring his physical presence to the game. He would also bring another lineout option to the team.
This is an important match for Grant, who needs to start delivering on the promising tag.
Mooney has kept faith with the rest of his starting XV, and he said the side had shrugged off any hangover from the agonising loss to Southland.
The match is looming as crucial for Otago, which has opened its campaign in the ITM Cup with two losses and sits 13th on the table.
Mooney said the team had plenty to play for on Saturday.
"There was a lot of heart, a lot of passion showed last week and this week we've talked about playing our first home game of the year at Carisbrook. Also we are playing for the Mike Gibson Trophy and that is an important trophy to win."
The trophy is held by Wellington.
Mooney acknowledged the match would be a different sort of game from that played last week.
"Wellington have some really gifted athletes in their team and play that sort of game that when they are allowed to get on the front foot, get away offloads and create one-on-one situations then they can be devastating.
"But I thing we showed last week what sort of game we are capable of playing - very direct."
Mooney said this did not mean 10-man rugby, but it was about being physical and setting a platform for the backs.
Wellington also has much to play for, having let its standards slip last week in losing to Counties-Manukau at home.
All Black halfback Alby Mathewson will start for Wellington, while the team has plenty of speed out wide in the form of wingers Hosea Gear and youngster Julian Savea.
Rejected All Black prop Neemia Tialata will captain the side, as Rodney So'oialo is still hampered by a knee injury.
It will be the last game in charge of Wellington for new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, and he will want to go out a winner.
The schoolboy march past will precede the game.
OTAGO v WELLINGTON
- Carisbrook, tomorrow night, 7.35pm
• Otago: Chris Small, Ryan Shortland, Ben Smith, Josh Tatupu, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Glenn Dickson, Sean Romans, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai (captain), Paul Grant, Hayden Triggs, Hoani Matenga, Sam Hibbard, Peter Mirrielees, Kees Meeuws.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Blair Young, Seko Kalou, Brad Cameron, Johnny Legg, Andrew Parata, Joe Hill.
• Wellington: Apoua Stewart, Julian Savea, Charlie Ngatai, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear, Fa'atonu Fili, Alby Mathewson, Faifili Levave, Scott Fugistaller, Mark Reddish, Daniel Ramsay, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata (captain), Dane Coles, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Api Naikatini, TJ Ioane, Ruki Tipuna, Hayden Cripps, Alapati Leuia.
